Pakistan Senate Condemns Gay and Lesbian Event at U.S. Embassy

The Senate Friday severely condemned the hosting of a gay pride ceremony by US embassy in Pakistan last month and sent the matter to the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs for taking any possible action.

The committee will see whether the parliament had the jurisdiction to debate the issue in any of its houses and what kind of action could be initiated against the organisers of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) function that was held in the US embassy in Islamabad….

The lawmakers condemned the statement of the embassy that announced support for such persons in Pakistan, saying that GLBT activities were against the basic principles of Islam and the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and hence could not be allowed….

Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland greets guests at GLBT Pride celebration on June 26, 2011
Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland and members of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFFA) hosted Embassy Islamabad’s first ever gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Pride Celebration on June 26. This gathering demonstrated continued U.S. Embassy support for human rights, including LGBT rights, inPakistan at a time when those rights are increasingly under attack from extremist elements throughout Pakistani society.

Over 75 people attended including Mission Officers, U.S. military representatives, foreign diplomats, and leaders of Pakistani LGBT advocacy groups. In formal remarks, the Chargé underscored President Obama’s May 31, 2011 GLBT Pride Proclamation that, “we rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Addressing the Pakistani LGBT activists, the Chargé, while acknowledging that the struggle for GLBT rights in Pakistan is still beginning, said “I want to be clear: the U.S. Embassy is here to support you and stand by your side every step of the way.”